10 things you must see in Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s most forested countries, and among its natural beauties there are also many monuments that were touched by the human hand. If you want to know more about these places and read which ones you simply must visit to say you really know this country, you should read the following article.

Mediadom Pyrhani, Piran

Mediadom Pyrhani is a cultural centre and a multimedia museum in Piran. In the Music home, where the museum is located, generations of children were taught to become concert masters. Nowadays you can see the history of Piran all the way from prehistoric times to today being shown here. With the help of 3D movies, you can, for example, imagine the life of rich captains from Piran or poor saltern workers. After visiting the museum, we are automatically pulled into an independent search for our favourite corners of Piran. There are many hostels in the city, including Youth Hostel Piran near the Piran cathedral of the Church of St. George and Youth Hostel Pirano, which lies above the Piran port.

Jeruzalem, Ormož

In the middle of the vineyards lies the little village of Jeruzalem, with its centre being on the top of the ridge. From there you have a beautiful view on the surrounding vineyards, through which you can walk and listen to the sound of the bird-scaring rattle (in Slovene: klopotec). In the vineyards romance is present all year round. An especially solemn time is harvest time with all the celebrations at its end. During your walk through the vineyards, I would also recommend visiting the vineyard cottages, where you can taste some homemade wine and a piece of sausage.

Pišnica, Kranjska Gora

Pišnica is a torrent stream, surrounded by high mountains and hiking trails. Lower, right next to its riverbed, there are stunning gravelly plains that are inviting you to rest there and swim. During wintertime we can be dreaming here under snowy trees, listening to water’s melody. There are many spots for photography lovers, for example Lake Jasna, where HI Hostel Barovc is also located. The latest acquisition is the trim track on the Romantic path on the other bank, which makes the whole place even better.

Otočec Castle, Otočec

In the middle of the hills of Dolenjska lies Krka River. On one of its river islands there is a real castle form the 13th century. The castle is a hotel today with a stunning castle park. Here we can imagine that we live in the time of princesses and governors, and even if we are not guests of the hotel, we can take a walk around the park and see the swans that reign in this part of the water. The paths on the left and right bank of the river are also waiting for you to be explored.

The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia, Velenje

In the abandoned Škala passage of the operating coal mine Velenje you can find The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia. Its entrance is already special because we walk the same path as the miners through the centuries before us while taking a tour. During the tour we feel like real miners when we are listening to the story of mining with the mining helmets on and mining snacks in our hands. But we don’t stay in the past for long, as today’s development of the coal mine is also presented to us. And for the end we say goodbye with the mining salute: SREČNO (good luck). Youth Hostel Velenje is located near the mine.

Rinka waterfall, Logar Valley

The Rinka waterfall lies in one of the most beautiful Slovenian alpine valleys, in the Logar Valley. It is part of the Logar Valley Landscape park, which is special because it is managed by the locals themselves. The waterfall falls over the red wall 90 meters deep. It is surrounded by wonderful mountains. From the waterfall we can ascend to the Okrešelj mountain and during the journey we can also see the spring of the Savinja River.

Planina cave, Planinsko polje

In the largest Slovenian water cave the water has shaped the dripstones and gives life to many olms (“proteus”). Rivers Rak and Pivka become one here – Unica River. We can walk through the cave, but if you want something more special, take a boat. In any case, we can just admire the mix of colours and listen to the silence, which is interrupted only by the sound of drops. The path is illuminated only by some lamps, and because of that we can feel the cave’s darkness even more. 15 minutes away in Postojna you can find HI Hostel Proteus.

Source of the Krupa river, Semič

Under the grey and white 30 meters long repeatedly broken limestone rock springs Krupa. It is a karst spring, which means that the water comes out of the underground due to a different stone structure. The quiet blue and green water gives us space and time to think about the story of the river. Next to Krupa we can walk 2,5 km along the picturesque gorge.

Šutna, Kamnik

Kamnik is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Slovenia. Štuna is known as the most beautiful street in the city and it is boasts with numerous bourgeois houses, including the birthplace of Rudolf Maister. The most special are the houses that are marked with trading signs, as a vibrant trade took place here throughout history. Above the street are the Zaprice Castle and the Little Castle, while on the nearby hill there is also the Old Castle, under which Youth Hostel Pod Skalo is located.

Ferrari’s, garden, Štanjel

Štanjel is one of the monuments in Karst. We can feel the soul of the persistent and stubborn Karst person there. It has and old town centre, characterized by traditional narrow streets and coastal houses. At the edge of the village you can encounter Ferarri’s garden, which hides things you would not expect to see here. This includes all the karst-like elements (terraces), as well as elements that are not otherwise found in the Karst region (pavilions, a little lake with two small islands, Botticelli’s shell, fountains).